Apr 24, 2026
Museum Night “Voices in the Night” at Wittenstein Activity Museum (Tallinna Street 9/11):
On Museum Night (16 May), the Wittenstein Activity Museum is open from 18:00 to 23:00.
The Wittenstein Activity Museum in Paide takes visitors back to the 19th century, offering an authentic small-town atmosphere, engaging activities, historical objects, and unique digital solutions.
📌 Events at Wittenstein Activity Museum:
18:00–23:00 – Herbal expert Jana Olesk welcomes visitors in the herb shop
The museum café is open
18:00 – Lecture by University of Tartu professor Ain Raal: “Medicinal Plants from Your Home Cabinet. Teas, Infusions, Powders, Ointments: Preparation and Use.” Themed literature will be available on-site
19:00 – Concert by students of Paide Music School in the museum attic chamber
20:00 – Exhibition opening: “Mobile Phones Through Time from the Collection of Koit Pilipenko”
📌 Admission €1, Museum Card accepted
At Ajakeskus Wittenstein (Paide castle tower):
Located at Paide Vallimägi, Ajakeskus Wittenstein is built inside a historic castle tower, where time travel is made possible by a unique time machine – an elevator that takes visitors through different historical eras. On various floors, visitors can explore prehistoric and medieval times, the era of kings and tsars, the period of occupation, and the restoration of Estonia’s independence.
Ajakeskus is an ideal destination for the whole family – interactive and hands-on exhibits offer excitement for visitors of all ages.
On Museum Night (16 May), Ajakeskus Wittenstein is open from 18:00 to 23:00.
📌 Events at Ajakeskus Wittenstein:
21:00 – At the sky level of the tower, Indrek Kuuse presents models of the historic Paide church
22:00 – Guided night journey at Ajakeskus Wittenstein. We invite time travelers to a nighttime journey through Estonian history
📌 Admission €1, Museum Card accepted
For the full Museum Night programme across Estonia, see:
👉 https://muuseumioo.muuseum.ee/programm/
Additional information:
Ründo Mülts
SA Ajakeskus Wittenstein / Järvamaa Museum
📞 +372 5668 2165
Feb 19, 2026
Jüriöö Märgutuled 2026 in Paide – A Free Estonia Lives!
Ajakeskus Wittenstein and the City of Paide invite you to Paide Vallimägi on April 22 for a special evening where history, fire, and live music come together. Jüriöö Märgutuled once again bring people together from across Estonia to light the signal fire and celebrate the endurance of freedom.
The evening begins with movement – participants will head toward Paide Vallimägi by running or walking from Türi, Väätsa, Kirna, and Mäo. The run and walk are organized by the Türi Sports Clubs Union and SA Paide Sports Center.
At 8:00 PM, the official opening of Jüriöö Märgutuled begins at Paide Vallimägi. Bonfires will be lit, speeches will take place and Paide Music school band Süntaks will perform.
At 9:00 PM, Member of the European Parliament Jüri Ratas will light the beacon fire at the top of Paide Castle, inviting people across Estonia to light St. George´s Night fires and show that a free Estonia lives on!
From Paide Vallimägi, motorcyclists will set off led by Alempois MC.
After the signal fire ceremony, the stage will be taken over by the powerful energy of the band SADU. A strong open-air concert experience full of emotion, strength, and unity awaits visitors.
Concert
Advance sales have ended. Tickets are available ON SITE 30 €.
Free entry for preschool children.
Run and Community Walk
Participation fee until Apr 12: 15 €
ON SITE: 25 €
The participation fee includes a ticket to the evening concert.
Distances and Start Times
6:15 PM Türi Sports Hall → Paide (~15 km)
7:00 PM Kirna Community Centre → Paide (~8.5 km)
7:00 PM Väätsa Health Complex → Paide vallimägi (~8.5 km)
7:15 PM Mäo Bus Terminal→ Paide vallimägi (~5 km)
We welcome everyone to Paide Vallimägi – come with family and friends, light the St. George’s Night fire, and be part of an evening where history meets the present.
A free Estonia lives! 🔥
Feb 17, 2026
On March 7 at 7:00 PM, a lively concert performance will take place at the Wittenstein Activity Museum, featuring beloved actors Indrek Taalmaa and Jüri Vlassov.
The audience can look forward to an authentic, warm and humorous evening filled with recognition, heartfelt laughter and great music. This is neither traditional theatre nor typical stand-up comedy, but rather a classic-style variety show in its finest form – a tasteful blend of vivid stories, witty observations about everyday life and well-loved, cheerful songs by Kuldne Trio.
The performance will be presented in two acts (1 hour + 1 hour) with an intermission in between.
Venue: Wittensteini Tegevusmuuseum
Date: March 7
Start time: 7:00 PM
Tickets are sold: https://piletikeskus.ee/et/e/ctdf57
We look forward to welcoming you for an enjoyable evening in Wittenstein.
Jan 21, 2026
New Exhibition: Delightful Animal Toys Through the Ages
Do you remember your childhood favorite – a soft teddy bear, a rubber bunny, or perhaps a wooden horse? The Wittenstein Activity Museum is proud to present an enchanting animal toy exhibition that offers a journey of discovery for both children and adults.
A Journey Through Time with Estonia’s Foremost Collector
This special display is part of the unique collection of artist and art teacher Heli Mänd. Heli has been dedicated to collecting toys for over 20 years, building an extraordinary archive.
This exhibition is more than just a display of toys; it is living history. Heli Mänd’s mission is to bring hidden memories back to life, and this showcase at the Wittenstein Activity Museum is one of many exhibitions she has curated across Estonia.
What to Discover at the Exhibition?
Animal toys have accompanied us through generations, yet their shapes and forms have changed beyond recognition. At the exhibition, you can explore:
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Rarities from the Past: See what animal-inspired companions looked like through the years.
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Evolution of Materials: Follow the timeline from wood and rubber to modern plastics and soft plush fabrics.
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The Joy of Recognition: Rediscover the very toys that belonged to your childhood or the childhoods of your parents and grandparents.
This is a rare opportunity to see how art and the toy industry have intertwined over time and to appreciate the emotional value these small companions hold for us all.
Visitor Information
📍 Location: Wittenstein Activity Museum, Paide 🕒 Opening Hours: In winter time Wed–Sun, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Visits at other times by prior appointment)
For more information about our activities, visit: www.wittenstein.ee
Jan 6, 2026
🇪🇪 On 23 February, we will celebrate the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia with a festive evening at the Wittenstein Activity Museum (Tallinna St 9/11, Paide).
The talented Valter Soosalu will perform together with the Tihvan Big Band. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy beautiful music and a delicious dinner.
Doors open at 7:30 PM.
The ticket price is €55 and includes the concert and a three-course dinner.
Tickets are available only in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door.
Ticket sales at the Wittenstein Activity Museum begin on 23 January.
Limited number of seats available!
The menu:
Starter
Dark bread with herring cream
Main Course
Traditional pork roast with Mulgipuder (Estonian potato and barley mash), served with glazed seasonal vegetables and a creamy mushroom sauce
Dessert
Festive treat with kama
More information: info@wittenstein.ee or +372 5850 2001
Dec 2, 2025
A new book about the stories and legends of the town of Paide has been published
A new work has been added to the cultural history of Järva County – fresh off the press is the book “Stories and Legends of Paide”, compiled by Tiiu Saaristi and Elle Näppo, members of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society. The book launch will take place on 6 December at 12:00 in the Wittenstein Activity Museum, where those interested can also purchase the publication.
The collection opens the door to the world of Paide’s folklore – to stories that are partly drawn from real life, partly passed down by word of mouth, and at times seasoned with a playful touch of imagination. The authors say that compiling the book was a kind of journey through the city’s layers of history and ancient tales. “We can’t always just dawdle around like Fred Jüssi. We wanted to do something that would connect the stories of the past with today’s readers,” says Tiiu Saaristi.
The idea for the book was born in the board of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society, where it was warmly received, and the society decided to cover the printing costs. The work was supported by several helpers. An important milestone was “Timid Waters and Secret Paths: Place Folklore of Järvamaa” (2004), compiled by Mari-Ann Remmel, whose author permitted the text to be quoted and used as supporting material. The language of the text was polished by Anne Kivimäe, the book was printed and bound by Kuma Publishing, and the cover design and layout were created by Rainer Alas.
The selection of stories emerged through extensive searching. “Surprisingly many interesting episodes can be found in old newspapers, and older local residents also remember quite a lot,” the authors note. “We tried to present the stories as authentically as possible – just as they were told by the narrators of the past.”
The museum staff also contributed to the completion of the book: together with Ründo Müls, the authors visited various sites to take photos, and with the help of Maie Rüütli, suitable illustrations were found in the museum’s collections. Paide Music and Theatre House supported the printing of the materials.
Now the result is bound between covers – a warm, memory-laden and folklore-rich collection that invites readers to discover the history of Paide through the stories and legends of its people.
